Assassin's Riddle
So this is a gripping story that follows Jian, a college student, who finds herself in the midst of murder and mystery after her uncle's suspicious death.The plot is filled with action, including gunfire, murder drones, and a group of assassins targeting Jian for unknown reasons. Trapped in her uncle's home, Jian must use the unique training he gave her to stay alive.
The series combines suspense with humor and features impressive action scenes. The storyline is full of unexpected twists and turns, keeping the audience engaged.
And let's not forget, Lee Dong Wook's performance is outstanding.
"A Shop for Killers" will leave you wanting more, and trust me when I say it's clear that a second season is a must for fans of the show!
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This review may contain spoilers
Kill Or Be Killed...or not!
So far - so good!
Episode one paves the way whereas episode two gives us some background and a bit of context as to how Jian comes under her uncle's care before his apparent suicide when she is older.
There are some truly wicked scenes like when she (older) is finding "blind spots" when being targeted by a hit man in episode one, the scene where she (child) is hanging off a pipe or pole under the window of their upstairs apartment showing how quick she is to think and act in order to survive even at that young age (ep 2), also, when she crawls in to the morgue space to discover quite by accident her mother's dead body lying there yet stays quiet and calm knowing there are "bad men" trying to hurt her (ep 2).
Resilient in survival mode at its fullest.
There are other scenes too that are just as good - like when it goes back to the start in episode 2 with the hitman and dealing with the drones, also, the relationship development between Jian and her uncle which has some humourous and serious moments.
Not sure just how graphically violent or gruesome it will get as it goes on, but there is one scene (ep 2) where it seems like someone is hacking off the arm of her "uncle's friend" that had gone to her family home to either get her or protect her.
Her "uncle's friend" seemed quite young and good looking so it wasn't great knowing his likely fate. Never know!
Am ready and revving for the next episode...
It is really good right until the end!!!
If I was to complain about anything it would be about some of the flash backs used which are overused to clarify something, but it doesn't subtract too much from the experience.
Also, I kind of predicted something about one person from the very start so wasn't surprised when that person's true colours shone right through when they did - sad for me though as I kind of had a soft spot for them.
Highly recommended!!!
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Let him cook!
Whew! What a ride!!I feel high on andrenaline watching this drama. The story, pacing and main good characters were well done and written.
For most of the drama, Jian dissapointed me as the main lead of the show. I felt her abilities lacking giving the upbringing she had. I don't expect her to be the most badass fighter or cold killer immediately, but i was expecting her to be a little bit more street smart/hard whereas she came across as being soft (though she definitely had moments where she used her brain), which was a letdown after seeing how her uncle brought her up, the various training she was fortunate to get, and the experiences she's been through from a young age. Aside from her, every other character was great. Minhye - bestest most badass girl ever, Pasin - coolest muay thai soldier, Brother - adorable but highly capable computer genius, Honda - Mother! Loyal, Warmest heart ever, and last but not least Jinman - if only he was my real life uncle gahh.
In terms of the villains, I actually enjoyed the whole setup of it all! I absolutely loved seeing the backstory on why they were so against Jinman and hell bent on coming for him. Although their reasonings for doing so were frustratingly hypocritical!
I hope a Season 2 is in works because I definitely will be interested in seeing a sequel that focuses on Jinman's point of view!
Overall, this was a highly entertaining and to-the-point short thriller drama.
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This review may contain spoilers
A Shop for Thrills!!!!
**DISCLAIMER: This is my first review please be kind T_T**Are you ready to be hooked and have your breath snatched away? Well, buckle up and get ready because this is not just another action-packed drama BUT a jaw-dropping, spine-chilling high-octane action bonanza that will have you gasping for air and begging for mercy. Trust me, you don't want to miss out on this wild ride! So if you haven't seen it yet, get your popcorn ready and prepare to be blown away & pray for a second season!
In “a shop for killers”, Lee Dong Wook delivers a gripping performance (is there a role this man can't play? i doubt it) as a mysterious uncle whose sudden suicide triggers a chain of events that turns the protagonist's life upside down. As she is targeted by skilled assassins, Jian must draw upon her uncle's peculiar training to survive and uncover the truth behind his death. Kim Hye Joon was also excellent, she embodied the character's resilience and bravery in the face of danger, while also showing the emotional turmoil and confusion that comes with her situation. Her chemistry with Lee Dong Wook added an extra layer of complexity and depth to the story!
The action sequences are fast-paced and intense, with several high-stakes fights and shootouts that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The use of drones and other advanced technology adds a modern twist to the traditional action scenes, making them feel fresh and exciting. The unexpected twists keep the story fresh and unpredictable, preventing it from feeling stale or cliche, they moreover serve to enhance the overall viewing experience and keep viewers engaged and emotionally invested in the storyline.Additionally, they add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery, encouraging viewers to watch until the end to uncover the truth behind each surprise.
The drama also has a dark and gritty tone, reminiscent of the 80s classic "Leon the Professional", (one of my fav movies) a film known for its violent but compelling storylines. The relationship between the uncle and niece in “a shop for killers” has some similar elements to the one found in “Leon the Professional”. Both films feature a hardened, older male figure who takes on a protective and mentoring role for a younger female character. The uncle in “a shop for killers” is depicted as a tough, skilled assassin who takes Jian under his wing, teaching her survival skills and weapon handling, much like Leon did for Mathilda in “Leon the Professional”. Their fierce bond and unwavering loyalty to each other drive the plot and leave viewers invested in their fates.
The cinematography is a standout feature, with stylish visuals that capture the intense mood of the drama. The use of dark and moody lighting creates a tense atmosphere that elevates the action sequences and builds suspense. The music in the drama is equally impressive, with a selection of tracks that perfectly complement the fast-paced action and emotional moments without taking the attention from the scenes.
And of course needless to say that Lee Dong Wook’s performance is another highlight, showcasing his versatility as an actor by playing a hardened assassin with a hidden depth and vulnerability. His portrayal of the complex and mysterious character is a true pleasure to watch. But then again are we surprised? He's one of the best k-actors in my humble opinion!
Here are some things that I liked:
1. The acting was exceptional, with Lee Dong Wook delivering a standout performance.
2. The action sequences were intense and well-executed, with plenty of suspense and excitement.
3. The cinematography was top-notch, with stunning visuals that added to the overall experience.
4. The story was intriguing and unpredictable, with plenty of surprising twists and turns.
5. The chemistry between the two main leads was added a lot of depth to their relationship.
6. The use of humor and sarcastic one-liners added a nice balance to the intense action sequences and made the drama entertaining throughout.
7. The portrayal of the uncle/niece relationship was complex and emotional, adding an extra layer of drama to the story.
8. The soundtrack was well-chosen and added to the overall atmosphere of the drama.
Here's what I didn't like** :
1. The pacing of the drama felt a bit rushed at times, especially in the later episodes.
2. Some of the subplots felt underdeveloped.
3. The ending felt somewhat unsatisfying and didn't tie up all the loose ends. (But maybe that's because there discusssions for season 2? source: https://www.soompi.com/article/1648055wpp/kim-hye-joon-and-lee-dong-wooks-a-shop-for-killers-in-talks-for-season-2 )
**These minor issues didn't detract too much from my enjoyment of the drama, as the strong points outweighed the negatives.
Overall, “A Shop for Killers” is a gripping and thrilling action-mystery drama with thirller elements that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The performances are outstanding, and the use of cinematography, music, and action sequences are top-notch. Whether you’re a fan of action, mystery, or just a well-told story, “a shop for killers” is a must-watch that will leave you feeling entertained , excited and emotionally invested!
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─ a gripping story in a day
Perhaps one of the most unique and intriguing parts of the storyline is that it tells a story that happened in just one day ─ which is not something easy to do. However, they managed to add their twists and made it binge-worthy (of course, by adding enough scenes from the past as well). We saw enough from the past and enough from the present. At the beginning of the story, the audience is just like Jian; lost and confused and later on, slowly discover the real meaning behind the mess. I liked how they connected specific scenes towards the end to reveal the full story.While the uncle and niece duo was such a great dynamic to watch, you also can't help but think of "what ifs" as you learn the uncle's real story. I enjoyed seeing how grey the character was as he tried his best to train his niece for her to became stronger. You can also see how his military background create stereotype persona in the mind of others when he, himself is struggling with guilt and nightmares. Realistically acted.
The action scenes were great, and side characters added a good colour to the story. Villains were indeed cruel, and it's refreshing to see they didn't give a reason to pity the villain. He was just a bad person without a reason to redeem himself.
You might think "how can a person change in a day" but we actually got a smooth character development as well due to different personas surrounding Jian as some wanted to protect her whereas some were after her life.
Overall, it was a nice watch and recommended to anyone who enjoys watching this genre.
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above average action show with good story
very easy to watchstory is interesting enough to want to watch a few episodes at a time which is always a postive and not to predictable
acting is good and believable
not a big fan of action in general but the fight scenes are enjoyable especially later in the series without being over the top
well worth watching not A 10/10 but definitely above average show hopefully there will be more in the future as I'm interested to see were they take the story.
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Mind Blowing Thriller
A Shop for Killers is fantastic. I watched it and regretted why I hadn't watched it before. The action in this manga is truly epic and mind boggling. I hope they make a second season because I just can't wait to see what will happen next, This show is extremely thrilling and will make you want more. It kept me on the edge of my seat for the whole day. In some Korean dramas, even getting a gun is a pain in the ass. But in this drama, a pistol is the most basic weapon, while we have mercenaries with machine guns, attacking drones, and whatnot.The negatives of this show are probably some far-fetched plot holes and pacing. Because I think some people don't watch it in one go and might forget the details with flashbacks going on and off simultaneously. But otherwise, the drama is French's kiss, with great actors and superb direction. I'm in love with characters like Minhye, Bale, and Pasin.
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Unfortunately very nice drama
Unexpectedly, Script is well-written!!!!Action scenes are great!!
Great 528 chemistry between main lead oppa and his niece (especially the youngest version of Niece) .
I like main plot lines and dialogues!!
When main lead actor told his niece “listen carefully…”, it makes me heartwarming!!
Main lead actor oppa is really good in acting !!! Hope he can win awards with this drama.
Soft lovely chemistry between main lead oppa and his niece (especially the youngest version of Niece) .
I like main plot lines and dialogues!!
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This review may contain spoilers
Up to episode 6
it most has a season 2 and more . I bet you all that LEE DONG WOOK isn't dead cuse we all know how the uncle think ,a suicide impossible maymkanch we will get for sure s2 cuse 8 episodes aren't enough for sure, just how all the killers thinks that jinman is dead that's the plot twist that we will face it at the last episode then we will wait but for sure this kdrama has a higher level .for the action scene, the guns,all of it the director did an wonderful jobs I really love it.
BUT FOR SURE JINMAN ISN'T DEAD
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A not so bad plot and a not so bad acting
A series adapted from a novel which I didn’t read so I my review will only focuses on the series.We get a very interesting first 2 episodes with an original concept as well as in the directing and artistic approach, with an intriguing cast, intriguing because it is far from the roles we usually see them in, and if you don’t know it’s from a novel, it is also a very unique plot.
To me I am satisfied with 95% of the storyline and the acting. I especially love the scenery, this darkness around each scene and the dialogues with a lot of depth. The sign language conversation is extremely enjoyable. Vilains have some depth too even if you think the main vilain is psycho.
It is a very short series for which we can expect another season and worth watching especially since it is short.
Now I will talk about a few things that, personally didn’t work and thus, the reason why it is not a 10/10.
First of all the development of Jeong Ji An is not completed. Was it saved for another season ? We have a child version and short development of her as a kid. You must have spotted how strong JJA as a child is very brave and very intelligent. We could think her childhood affected this version of her but they showed us when Jeong Jin Man was raising her. We still see confidence, braveness, curiosity and excitement actually… The young adult version of her is quite far from the picture we got from her in the past. The young adult teenage version of her is very frail, not confident, weak also (in her way to think and physically act)… So it feels we are missing something.
Another plot problem to me is how quick some situations get resolved. I mean, these people are very smart, not easily fooled, they think… How this whole situation gets resolved is not convincing. When JJM dies it is not convincing how easy people think he died. Is it because the novel said so ? Should we blame the writer ?
Another problem is the acting. Don’t get me wrong I am satisfied with everyone and if sometimes Kim Hye Jun is questionable I think it is more a characterization problem. But Park Ji Bin could have done way better especially when he dies…
Lastly why not a 10/10. Well even if it was very entertaining and nice I think it is hardly rewatchable and they are right, the re watchable value is part of the rating. You might think because it is short it is not rewatchable but DP is rewatchable (season 1), on american series Black mirror is rewatchable. Might be very different kind of stuff but to me the rewatchable value here is lower than some other stuffs.
PS : I talked about the cons but I also mentioned the pros and of course I enjoyed it. I think LDW is pretty amazing even tho it is not his best performance.
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fantastic action scenes!
The highlight of this show was definitely the action scenes. They were very well choreographed and not overdramatized too much by like climbing up walls and stuff like that. The acting was fantastic, especially from our main character Jung Ji Ahn (Kim Hye Joon). Every single one of the side characters absolutely nailed their roles as well. I felt like there was no wasted time or filler episodes in this show, very important for an 8-episode long series. This was a very solid action show, and if you are into bloody fight scenes and drama, this is for you!Was this review helpful to you?
Dramatic, Gorey, Enthralling
From start to finish, the presentation and story-telling of the show were gripping and exciting! Both the leads - the uncle and the niece play a fantastic part in this entire series - both together and separately! It definitely makes it a MUST WATCH.If you enjoy action, thrillers, suspense - this show has all of that. You might have to put up with a bit of gruesome gorey killing sprees along with it so "Listen Well" - watch at your own risk depending on what you are able to handle. It did get a bit much for me. Though they try to spare you a bit with the camera panning to the killer rather than the victim. The story is actually not very complicated which is a plus point. There is a bit of back and forth with episodes 5 and 6 giving important background information but never for a moment did this show lose it's pace or get boring so don't let that make you hesitant.
The show is unrealistically realistic. It doesn't make superheroes out of nobodies. People are what you expect them to be and rely on their wits and other skills. Of course there are still unrealistic aspects to the show but the series completely draws you into the world despite that.
Just FYI, the story isn't complete and although there is no confirmation as of now but there probably should be a season 2. That is the only thing I wish wasn't the case. I would have liked an extra 2 episodes and the series to be concluded. Not sure what new season 2 could hold as expectations will now be through the roof.
The OST fits the series perfectly. The actors did a good job and I'm especially happy that Lee Dong Wook took up this project. He's just the icing and cherry on top of the cake!
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